Sunday, February 10, 2019

Popular Bangladeshi model, actor Meghla Mukta, whose recent Telugu film “Sakala Kala Vallabhudu” is running in more than 150 theatres across Hyderabad, has recently accused Air India airport staff of harassment. She posted an official statement from her Facebook and Instagram profiles claiming that a female staff of Air India harassed her before her flight back to Dhaka from Hyderabad on Thursday, February 8. The incident has gone viral among netizens of Bangladesh since Saturday.

The Dhaka Tribune’s Showtime recently contacted Meghla and asked about the recent incident she faced. She said: “I was returning back to Dhaka from Hyderabad onboard the Air India AI780 flight via Kolkata on Thursday. I had an allowance of total 28kg but I weighed in at a total of 29kg. I was ready to pay for the extra weight though I had no cabin luggage with me. Air India Ground Staff Supervisor Kanees Fatima told me to pay the excess luggage fee with a credit card.”

“When I replied that I will pay cash she asked whether I had a credit card or not, and if I didn’t then I should travel by bus. I tried to pay with dollars and she denied to take that in account too. Then my friends asked to share the excess baggage with their total allowance, yet she denied that too. She replied that we can’t do any business or make contracts here and share our luggage ” added Meghla.
Moreover, she posted the same statement from her official Instagram profile along with the photo of the accused Air India staff member on Friday. Air India’s official Instagram apologized in that post’s comment section and messaged her that they are taking necessary steps for the situation she had to face.
The comment said: “Dear ma'am, we never want our valued passengers to have this kind of experience. We humbly apologise for the inconvenience caused to you. Please be assured that necessary steps will be taken immediately as we are forwarding your remarks to the head of this team for further enquiry against the staff member concerned. Thank you.” [sic]

Air India’s official website – including sections on baggage, general conditions of carriage for passengers and baggage, general terms and conditions, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) – state nothing about the payment method for excess baggage. The domestic flights policy only states: “For domestic sectors within India, the excess baggage rate is INR500 plus applicable GST per kg per coupon including Alliance Air.”
10/02/19 Siam Raihan/Dhaka Tribune